IP Library Granted Patent US 7,146,235
Granted Patent B2
US 7,146,235 · App. 10/635,243 · Granted Dec 5, 2006

Manufacturing system and controller, controlling method, controlling system, and control program for the manufacturing system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,146,235
App. No.
10/635,243
Granted
Dec 5, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

An inkjet manufacturing device 2 includes a discharger 10 for discharging a liquid material onto anything onto which the liquid material is to be discharged, a communication section 22 for transmitting and receiving data through a communication line, and a monitoring section 21 for monitoring the state of the discharger 10 and outputting data obtained by the monitoring through the communication section 22.

Claims (19)

1. A manufacturing system comprising:

a discharger for discharging a liquid material having fluidity onto a substrate;

communication means for transmitting and receiving data through a communication line; and

monitoring means for monitoring the state of the discharger and for outputting data obtained by the monitoring through the communication means;

wherein the discharger comprises a liquid drop discharge head for discharging the liquid material, and a drive circuit for outputting a drive signal for controlling the discharging carried out by the liquid drop discharge head;

at least one of a drive signal input portion of the liquid drop discharge head and the drive circuit are shielded so as not to be accessible from the outside; and

the liquid drop discharge head is provided with a specific identification number, the discharger further comprises mounting detecting means for detecting any mounting of the liquid drop discharge head, and when the monitoring means receives a detection signal from the mounting detecting means, the monitoring means reads and outputs the identification number.

2. The manufacturing system according to claim 1 , wherein the monitoring means determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred based on the monitor data, and outputs a warning signal through the communication means when an abnormality has occurred.

3. The manufacturing system according to claim 1 , wherein when the monitoring means receives a control command through the communication means, the monitoring means controls operation of the discharger in accordance with the control command.

4. The manufacturing system according to claim 1 , wherein the discharger further comprises discharge failure detecting means, the discharge detecting means detecting the discharging of the liquid material from the liquid drop discharge head when the drive signal is input, and a discharge failure of the liquid drop discharge head when the liquid material is not discharged; and

when the monitoring means receives a detection signal from the discharge failure detecting means, the monitoring means determines that an abnormality has occurred and outputs a warning signal.

5. The manufacturing system according to claim 4 , wherein when the liquid drop discharge head comprises a plurality of nozzles for discharging the liquid material, the discharge failure detecting means is constructed to detect a discharge failure of each nozzle.

6. The manufacturing system according to claim 1 , wherein the discharger outputs a notification signal indicating the generation of a drive signal pulse, and the monitoring means outputs data for counting the cumulative number of dots discharged from the liquid drop discharge head based on the notification signal.

7. The manufacturing system according to claim 1 , wherein the discharger measures an operable state time of the liquid drop discharge head, the operable state time including time for actually discharging the liquid material, maintaining the liquid material in a dischargeable state, and waiting for the discharging operation; and

the monitoring means obtains and outputs the measured operable state time.

8. The manufacturing system according to claim 1 , wherein the discharger counts the number of manufactured products, and the monitoring means outputs a count value.

9. The manufacturing system according to claim 1 , wherein the discharger further comprises a storage container for storing the liquid material, and remaining amount detecting means for detecting a predetermined remaining amount of liquid material in the storage container; and

when the monitoring means receives a detection signal from the remaining amount detecting means, the monitoring means outputs a notification signal for notifying that the remaining amount of liquid material has decreased to a predetermined remaining amount.

10. The manufacturing system according to claim 1 , further comprising removal detecting means for detecting removal of any predetermined part in the discharger, wherein when the monitoring means receives a detection signal from the removal detecting means, the monitoring means determines that an abnormality has occurred and outputs a warning signal.

Assignments (7)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 19, 2022
From: KATEEVA CAYMAN HOLDING, INC.
To: HB SOLUTION CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 059727/0111 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 17, 2022
From: KATEEVA, INC.; KATEEVA CAYMAN HOLDING, INC.
To: SINO XIN JI LIMITED
Reel/Frame 059382/0053 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 23, 2020
From: KATEEVA, INC.
To: SINO XIN JI LIMITED
Reel/Frame 051682/0212 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 22, 2020
From: EAST WEST BANK, A CALIFORNIA BANKING CORPORATION
To: KATEEVA, INC.
Reel/Frame 051664/0802 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 4, 2019
From: KATEEVA, INC.
To: EAST WEST BANK
Reel/Frame 048806/0639 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 6, 2017
From: SEIKO EPSON CORP
To: KATEEVA, INC.
Reel/Frame 044719/0414 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2004
From: ARUGA, HASASHI
To: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 015207/0933 →